Multiple center straightener

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for straightening structural sections such as beams including means for supporting the straightening rolls at a plurality of possible centers to provide a minimum intermediate and maximum fixed center settings. The machine is also adapted to permit the removal of the roll supporting structure to permit a rapid roll changing operation.

nite States Patent Eibe et al" 5] Mar. M, M72

MULTIPLE CENTER STRAIGHTENER Inventors: Werner W. lEibe; Richard Kotler, both of Allegheny County, Pa.

Assignee: Blaw-Knox Foundry & Mill Machinery,

lnc., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Filed: Aug. 5, 1970 Appl. No.: 6ll,362

U.S. Cl ..72/165, 72/239 lint. Cl ..B21d 3/02 Field oiSearch ..72/160-l65,238,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,422,651 1/1969 Urtel ..72/l65 X 3,457,754 7/1969 Hagemann et 311.... 3,559,441 2/1971 Lemper et al ..72/l60 X Primary ExaminerMilton S. Mehr Attorney-Smith, Harding, Earley & Follmer [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus for straightening structural sections such as beams including means for supporting the straightening rolls at a plurality of possible centers to provide a minimum intermediate and maximum fixed center settings. The machine is also adapted to permit the removal of the roll supporting structure to permit a rapid roll changing operation.

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INVENTORS WERNER W. EIBE 8| RICHARD KOTLER ATTORNEYS MULTIPLE CENTER STRAIGHTENER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to machines for straightening structural sections such as beams and more particularly to a beam straightener which is capable of handling beams which have various sizes and yield strengths.

Straighteners of the indicated type are provided with a group of rollers positioned above and below a pass line on equally spaced centers. The rolls are adapted to have the beam passed therebetween and are set to bend the beam beyond its yield point so as to effect a straightening thereof. The beam straightening operation and setting of the rolls are, of course, well known procedures.

There is an optimum size roll and an optimum roll center distance" (i.e., the spacing between the axes of adjacent rolls) to handle a particular size beam of a particular yield strength. Of course, a roll setting can handle a certain limited range of beam sizes. For different size beams and beams of different yield strengths there are different optimum size rolls and center spacings. Accordingly, it is necessary to change the roll setting each time a beam of sufficiently different size is to be straightened since the range that one roll setting can handle is limited.

The conventional straightener employed in the prior art involves what is known as an overhung roller design wherein the bearings are all located at one end of the roller. However, this construction has limitations in load bearing capacity and is limited in how close the rolls could be positioned because of the interference between the bearings which are generally quite large in this design.

One attempt at minimizing the above-discussed problems has been to locate the rolls at fixed centers supported at both ends with the center spacing being calculated for an optimum which would permit as broad a range of use as possible. However, obviously the range of use that can be achieved with this construction has limitations.

The next approach in the prior art to provide a machine which can handle a wide range of different size beams of different materials was to provide for a movable center construction which permits the positioning of the rolls on infinitely variable centers. However, the cost of these rather complex machines was quite high and generally not justified. Also, sometimes the minimum center distance that could be achieved by such machine was insufficient because of the bearing sizes necessary to handle larger size beams.

Also, it is most desirable to place the roll straightening machine directly in the mill line. Accordingly, it is necessary to achieve a rapid roll change when a different beam was passed through the mill. In this regard, the conventional double-supported machines are unsatisfactory.

Another problem in this art was that because the height of the beam varies from beam to beam, and it is necessary to feed the beam on one level through the straightener (i.e., the beam must be on the pass line of the feed table), the prior art devices had to have provisions for raising or lowering the entire machine. Such means are quite expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of the invention to provide a beam straightener which overcomes the various problems of the prior art as discussed above. The machine in accordance with the invention is adapted to handle beams of various sizes and yield strengths within a wide range and is less expensive than the conventional overhung roller design. Moreover, the machine in accordance with the invention is adapted to permit a rapid roll change operation and ease of maintenance, and to improve bearing life. Further, the machine in accordance with the invention does not require the expensive machine lifting means in order to adjust the machine for beams of various heights.

Briefly stated, the machine in accordance with the invention involves a multiple center construction whereby there is provided means for supporting the rolls at various fixed settings having different roll center distances. For example, there may be provision for a maximum center distance setting, a minimum center distance setting and an intermediate center distance setting which would cover a full range of beams of various sizes and yield strengths. By providing a plurality of fixed center distance settings, it is possible to achieve a wide range of application without the necessity of the expensive design necessary to provide for infinitely variable centers.

Moreover, the roll supporting structure in accordance with the invention is adapted to be released from its mounting on the machine whereby it can be pulled from the machine to a location where a roll changing operation, maintenance, or rotation of the rolls into and out of heavily loaded positions can be performed. This feature of the invention is achieved by the use of a sled construction and by changing the roll arbors and bearings with the rolls.

The multiple center support means is also stepped vertically so that it is possible to use a simpler and less expensive vertical adjustment means.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, it is possible to set up the rolls so that there are provided a pair of entry pinch rolls for easier feeding of the material or for use as a forming roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the multiple center straightener in accordance with the invention showing the rolls in an intermediate center distance setting;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the multiple center straightener in accordance with the invention showing the rolls in a maximum center distance setting;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the straightener shown in FIG. 3 with various parts broken away for the illustration of details of construction;

FIG. 5 is an end section taken generally on line 5-5 of FIG.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary views illustrating the drive arrangement for the upper rolls of the machine in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrammatic views illustrating the roll setting with the minimum center distance during the operating and roll change positions, respectively;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrammatic views illustrating the roll setting with an intermediate center distance during the operating and roll change positions, respectively;

FIGS. 111A and 11B are diagrammatic views illustrating the roll setting with the maximum center distance during the operating and roll change positions, respectively; and

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 are diagrammatic views illustrating various roll settings in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown the overall layout of a multiple center straightener in accordance with the invention and reference will be made to these figures to present a general description of the main elements of the machine. The straightener is indicated generally at 10 with its longitudinal center line being indicated at 12. The main frame for the straightener is indicated generally at 14 and comprises spaced upright members and a cross frame member defining an opening within which the straightening rolls are mounted and through which the beam to be straightened is passed along a pass line during a straightening operation. Mounted on an upper portion of the frame 14 is an upper roll setting and supporting assembly indicated generally at 18. The assembly 18 is adapted to support the three upper beam straightening rolls in the positions shown in FIG. 2 by supporting the roll bearings which are located at each end of the rolls. In other words, there is provided a double support for the rolls. There is provided a lower roll setting and supporting assembly indicated generally at 20 which is adapted to support the four lower beam straightening rolls as is best shown in FIG. 2.

The drive means for the center upper roll is indicated at 22 and the drive means for the other two upper rolls indicated generally at 21 and 23.

At each end of the frame 14 there is provided a pair of vertical roll adjustment means which are indicated at 26 and 28 and serve to engage the beam along its vertical side to position the beam accurately along the longitudinal center line 12. Such means are conventional in the art.

Extending alongside of the straightener is a trackway indicated generally at 30, this trackway containing a side shifting car 32 which moves on rails 33 along the trackway for a purpose to be described more fully hereafter. Extending between the trackway 30 and the straightener 10 is a second trackway 34 comprising tracks 35, 36, and 37. The trackway 34 is used to transfer a sled onto which the rolls are positioned between the straightener l and car 32 during a roll change operation as will be described more fully hereafter. There is provided a chain drive means 38 comprising a pair of motor driven push-pull type chain drives 39 movable within guideways 40 extending along the trackway 34 and adapted to carry means for engaging the sled during an operation in which the sled is moved between the straightener and the side shift car 32. The car 32 is provided with two groups of tracks 35', 36', 37 and 35", 36", 37" adapted to be aligned with tracks 35, 36, 37 and two pairs of chain guideways 40 and 40" adapted to be aligned with guideways 40 during a roll change operation.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper roll assembly 18 is shown supported on the lower roll assembly which is supported on tracks 35', 36', 37 on car 32, with said tracks and guideways 40' being aligned with the corresponding tracks 35, 36, 37 and guideways 40 in trackway 34. This would be the condition of the parts when the roll setting has just been removed from the machine or when the roll setting is about to be inserted into the machine.

The multiple center straightener in accordance with the invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, wherein the rolls are shown in a maximum center distance setting. It will be noted that in the figures various parts are shown in diagrammatic form for clarity and ease of illustration.

The four lower straightening rolls are indicated at 41, 42, 43 and 44 and are rotatably supported on assembly 20 at each end in a pair of roll holding blocks 46 and 48 by means of suitable roll bearings, the bearings for roll 44 being shown in FIG. 5 and designated 50 and 52. It will be apparent that the bearing support for each of the rolls 41, 42, 43 and 44 will have a similar construction and arrangement. The block members 46 and 48 are provided with eight bearing receiving cutout portions 54 of a semicircular shape. Associated with each of the bearing receiving portions 54 is a cap member 55 which is adapted to enclose the bearings for the rolls 41-44 in place in accordance with well known bearing mounting procedures.

The blocks 46 and 48 are mounted on a supporting framework indicated generally at 58 and including a sled portion 60 at the bottom thereof. The sled 60 is supported on a horizontally extending platform 62 mounted on a floor structure 64 on the main frame of the machine and is releaseably secured in operating position in a manner to be described more fully hereafter.

There are provided three upper straightening rolls 71, 72 and 73 mounted on the machine above the lower rolls 41-44 by assembly 18 in the proper position relative to the lower rolls 41-44 in accordance with conventional roll straightening practice. Since the manner in which each of the upper rolls 71, 72 and 73 are mounted on the machine is similar, only the mounting for the roll 73, which is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, will be described in detail. The roll 73 is mounted by suitable bearing means 74 at each end thereof in a bearing receiving portion 76 of a pair of holding block members 78. Each of the bearings 74 is held in position in portions 76 of blocks 78 by a suitable cap member 80 similar to the cap members 55 employed with the lower straightening rolls. The blocks 78 are mounted on a framework generally indicated at 82 which comprises a horizontal plate 84 at the upper end thereof. The plate 84 is releaseably secured to a horizontal portion of a frame member 86 by means of two pairs of lock-in cylinders 88 in a manner to be described more fully hereafter.

As shown in FIG. 4, the blocks 78 are provided with three bearing receiving portions 76 which are stepped upwardly progressively in the direction away from the center of roll 72. The portions 76 are spaced equally from one another along the pass line 16.

The roll 71 is mounted in essentially the same manner as the roll 73 and the corresponding parts have been given the same numbers with primes added. Thus, the roll 71 is mounted on a pair of block members 78' in the outermost of the three bearing receiving portions 76'. The block members 78' are mounted on frame assembly 82' which is releaseably secured to a member 86' by means of lock-in cylinders 88' cooperating with a plate 84'. The portions 76' are stepped progressively upwardly in the manner shown in FIG. 4 in the direction away from the center roll 72 along the pass line. The bearings 74' of roll 71 are mounted on blocks 78 by caps 80.

The center straightening roll 72 is also mounted on the machine in essentially the same way as rolls 71 and 73 and corresponding parts have been given the same numbers with double primes added. Thus, the roll 72 is mounted in a pair of block members 78" having a single roll bearing receiving portion 76" and mounted on a framework 82" secured to a plate 84" which is releaseably secured to a member 86" mounted on the main frame of the machine by lock-in cylinders 88". The bearings 74" of the roll 72 are held in position by suitable cap members 80" in the manner discussed above.

It may be considered that the three blocks 78, 78' and 78" and their associated parts comprise the upper roll supporting and setting assembly 18. Although each of these blocks is independently mounted they function in cooperation with one another as will appear hereafter.

Means are provided for adjusting the position of the upper rolls 71-73 both vertically and horizontally. Because of the independent mounting of the three upper rolls, there is provided individual roll adjusting means. Since each of these roll adjusting means is similar, a detailed description will be given only of the roll adjusting means for the roll 73, which means is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The adjustment of roll 73 is achieved by adjusting the position of the member 86 relative to the main frame. To this end, the member 86 is secured to the extended end of the actuator arm of a vertical balance hydraulic cylinder 90 mounted on a member 92 which is supported on the main frame of the machine as is shown in FIG. 5. Positioned between members 86 and 92 are two pairs of wedges 94 and 96, the upper wedges 94 being fixedly secured to the underside of member 92 and the lower wedges 96 being movably mounted on the upper side of member 86. In its normal operating condition, the hydraulic cylinder 90 urges the member 86 upwardly towards the member 92 thus balancing the weight of the assembly and accordingly urges the wedges 94 and 96 together (cylinder 90 may be actuated downwardly against its balancing pressure for a purpose described hereafter). It will thus be apparent that the vertical position of the member 86 is dependent upon the relative horizontal position of the wedges 94 and 96. The lower wedges 96 carry nuts 98 which engage a pair of screws 100 are moved toward or away from each other by rotation of the screws 100 which are driven by a suitable motor drive means indicated generally at 102. The parts are constructed and arranged so that upon rotation of the screws 100 in one direction the wedges 96 will move toward one another and vice versa. It will be apparent that when the motor drive 102 causes rotation of the screws 100 in said one direction to cause the wedges 94 and to move closer together, the cylinder 90 will move the member 86 upwardly. Of course,

the reverse is true when the screws 1110 are rotated in the opposite direction. By this arrangement it is possible to adjust the vertical position of member 86 and at the same time adjust the vertical position of the roll 73 mounted thereon.

The horizontal adjustment of member 86 transverse to the pass line is achieved by means of a pair of screw jack means 104 each of which is connected to a wedge 106 movably positioned between a wedge 108 secured to a vertical portion member 92 and a vertical portion of member 86 as is shown in FIG. 5. A horizontal balance hydraulic cylinder 110 is connected to the vertically extending portion of member 86 to urge the same toward the opposed vertically extending portion of member 92 with the wedges 106 and 1118 therebetween. It will be obvious that the relative position of the wedges 106 and 108 will determine the horizontal position of the member 86 and the roll 73 which is mounted thereon.

There is provided a motor drive 111 for the screw jack means 104, which drive is best shown in FIG. 3.

The horizontal and vertical adjustment of the roll 71 is es sentially identical to that for the roll 73 and corresponding parts have been given the same reference numerals on the drawings with primes added.

The horizontal and vertical adjustment of the center roll 72 is also similar to that for the rolls 71 and 73 except that since the roll support is narrower, there is needed only a single adjustment wedge means and drive therefor. Accordingly, the corresponding parts have been given the same reference numerals on the drawings with double primes added.

The upper roll assembly 18 is clamped in position against a main frame member 118 by means of a wedge means 113 actuated through suitable linkage 114 by a hydraulic cylinder 116 as is best shown in FIG. 4. By moving the wedge 112 upwardly, it urges the upper roll assembly 18 against member 1 18 so as to make a more rigid machine assembly.

Means are provided to raise and lower the rolls 41-44 to achieve the necessary pass line adjustment. This adjustment accommodates the machine to the various size rolls which are employed for the various beams to be straightened. In FIG. 4 the parts are shown positioned for the largest size rolls. Thus, the sled 60 has been positioned to its lowermost position. When smaller diameter rolls are to be employed, it will be necessary to raise the sled 60 so that the rolls 41-44 will be in their proper position with respect to the pass line.

The pass line adjustment means comprises the platform 62 and a pair of wedges 120 which are secured on the underside of member 62 to engage a pair of movable wedges 122 which are slidably supported on support members 124 which rest on the floor structure 64.

Means are provided for moving the wedges 122 to raise and lower the platform 62. Such means comprises a gear motor 126 which drives a screw 130 through a coupling 128. The screw 130 engages a pair of nuts 132 mounted on the movable wedges 122 and a fixed bearing support 134 at approximately a medial portion of the screw. The parts are designed so that when the screw 130 is rotated in one direction it will cooperate with the nuts 132 to move the wedges 122 toward one another which will cause a raising of the platform 62. When the screw 130 is turned in the opposite direction, the wedges 122 will move away from one another so that the platform 62 will be lowered. This mode of operation will be apparent from a consideration of FIG. 4.

The longitudinal setting of the lower rolls 41-44 along the pass line is achieved by means of a wedge member 138 in cooperation with a spacer block 140 and suitable spacer plates 142. The wedge member 138 is moved downwardly to fixedly position the lower roll assembly 16 in accordance with the size and location of the block 140 and plates 142 which are placed at the ends of sled 60.

Means are provided for locking the sled 60 in position on the platform 62. Such means comprises a wedge member 144 mounted on the extended end of the actuator arm of a hydraulie cylinder 146 as is best shown in FIG. 5. When the wedge member 144 is actuated upwardly it will be moved to a position to lock the sled 60 in its operating position by cooperation with an opening 148 in the sled 61). When the wedge member 144 is moved downwardly it will move below the underside of the sled 60 and will permit movement of the sled transversely from the main frame of the machine as will be described hereafter.

The three upper rolls 71, 72 and 73 are driven by means shown in detail in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the general arrangement of the drive means being shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 1, the drive means 22 for the center roll 72 comprises a motor 150 which drives a suitable gearing unit 152 the output shaft of which is universally coupled to one end of a drive spindle 154 the other end of which is universally coupled to a coupling member 156 which is secured to the end of the center roll 72 to drive the same.

Since the center of the roll 72 will take various vertical positions depending on the size roll employed and the horizontal position of the upper roll assembly 18, means are provided for horizontally balancing and positioning the drive spindle 154. Such means comprises a hydraulic actuator 160 which is connected through linkage 162 to a collar 164 into which the drive shaft is joumaled as is shown in FIG. 8. It will be apparent that by varying the extension of the arm of hydraulic cylinder 160, the linkage 162 and collar 164 will position the drive shaft 154 to various positions. The shaft positioning mechanism also serves as a support for the drive shaft 154 when it is disengaged from the roll 72 during a roll changing operation as will be described hereafter.

The drive means 21 and 23 for the rolls 71 and 73 are essentially the same. Such means comprise a motor which acts through gearing unit 172 to drive the output shaft thereof which is connected to a drive spindle 174 as is best shown in FIG. 7. The output end of each of the drive spindles 174 is connected to member 176 which engages the end of the rolls 71 and 73 to drive the same. As is shown in FIG. 6, motor 170 and the gearing unit 174 are supported on a movable sled 180. This sled 180 is adapted to be moved along an inclined surface 181 between the solid line position and the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6. This inclined movement of the drive unit is provided in order to align the drive shaft 174 with the three center positions into which the roll 73 may be set in the block member 78 of the upper roll assembly. The center of the three positions of the upper roll 71 are shown in FIG. 6 at E, F and G.

The movement of the sled 181) along the inclined surface is achieved by means of a pair of hydraulic cylinders 182 and 1 connected together at the ends of their actuator arms. The lower cylinder 184 is secured to the floor of a fixed frame member 186 (which provides the inclined surface 181) while the upper cylinder 182 is connected to the floor of the movable sled 180 structure. It will be apparent that the hydraulic cylinders 182 and 184 may be actuated to increase and decrease the spacing therebetween to thereby move the sled 1811 to the various positions discussed above.

A support means 188 is mounted on a sled 180 to provide an arcuate drive spindle support 190 directly beneath the drive spindle 174 as is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This serves as a support for the drive shaft 174 when it is disengaged from the roll 73 (as shown in FIG. 7) during a roll change operation.

As was discussed above, the upper roll assembly 18 is releaseably mounted on the frame of the machine. This is also the case with the sled mounted lower roll assembly 16. As will be fully described hereafter, this mounting permits the entire roll setting (including the roll arbors and hearings) to be removed from the machine for a roll change operation.

In order to achieve a roll change, the first step is to actuate the vertical balance cylinder 90 to lower the member 86 which has the upper roll assembly 18 supported thereon. The assembly 18 will be lowered until the bottom side of the caps 80, 80 and 81)" come into contact with the upper side of the opposed caps 55 positioned on the lower roll assembly 20. The lock-in cylinders 88, 88, 88 are then actuated to retract their locking wedges 89 outwardly out of engagement with the associated members 84. The wedge 113 is also moved downwardly out of engagement with the assembly 18. The vertical balance cylinder 90 is then actuated to move the member 86 and the parts carried thereby (including cylinders 88) upwardly above the upper face of the member 84 to thereby clear the same.

In addition, the locking wedge M4 is moved downwardly to a position below the underside of the sled 60 and the wedge member 138, which is used for longitudinal positioning of the sled 60, is moved upwardly out of engagement with the block 140 in contact with the side edge of the sled 60. The upper roll assembly 18 is now supported on the lower roll assembly 20 and the sled 60 is released from engagement with the frame or any part of the machine.

The chains 39 which are each connected to the sled 60 by a connection 199 shown in FIG. 5, are then actuated to pull the sled 60 from the main frame of the straightener along the trackway 34 to position the sled 60 onto tracks 35', 36', 37 on the side shifting car 32. Assuming the sled 60 is now positioned on the left hand side of the car 32, the side shifting car 32 is then actuated to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 to position a sled carrying a new set of rolls, which would have been prepared previously in the right hand area of car 32 and positioned on tracks 35", 36", 37" as shown in FIG. 1, into alignment with the trackway 34. The chains 39 are then connected to the new sled and actuated in reverse direction to insert the new set of rolls into the machine. The new set of rolls are then secured within the machine in the working position by a reversal of the steps discussed above.

While the above described means is the quickest way to achieve the roll change, it will be apparent that the roll change may be achieved in various ways. It will also be apparent that the new rolls to be inserted in the machine during the roll change operation have been set within a second upper and lower roll setting and supporting assembly similar to assemblies l8 and 20 described above.

The manner in which the roll setting may be changed to accommodate various size beams will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 9A, 98, 10A, 10B, 11A and 118. In these Figures, the various possible roll centers (or axes) into which the upper rolls may be positioned by the block means 78, 78' and 78" described above have been designated A through G, inclusive. In a like manner, the various centers for the lower rolls which can be achieved by means of the lower block means have been designated A through II, respectively. The center distance or the spacing between adjacent centers of the upper rolls (also referred to in the art as the pitch") has been designated P in FIG. 9A. It is apparent from FIG. 9A, the centers C and D and the centers D and E are spaced apart a distance P. Referring to FIG. 10A, the centers B and D and the centers D and F are spaced apart the distance 2? and referring to FIG. 11A, the centers A and D and the centers D and G are spaced apart a distance 3?.

With respect to the lower roll centers, it will be noted that the centers A and B, the centers C and D, the centers D and E, the centers E and F, and the centers F and G are spaced apart a distance P while the centers B and C and the centers G and H are spaced apart a distance 2?, and, as shown in FIG. 11A, the spacing between centers A and C, C and F, and F and H is 3?.

It can thus be seen how the above-discussed geometry of the center distance locations can be utilized to achieve difierent roll settings. As shown in FIG. 9A the centers C, D and E for the upper rolls are utilized in conjunction with the center C, D, E and F of the lower rolls to provide a minimum center distance setting of P. It is noted that in accordance with conventional practice, it is essential that the centers for the lower rolls be exactly midway between the centers for the upper rolls. This is achieved by the use of the spacer 140 which has a width dimension equal to one-half the pitch of P/2. Thus, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 9A, the spacer 140 is positioned on the right side of the lower roll assembly 20 to adjust the same to the proper position relative to the upper roll assembly 18.

Referring to FIG. 10A, in order to achieve an intermediate center distance of 2? between the roll centers the upper centers B, D and F are utilized in cooperation with the lower centers B, C, E and G. Again, it is important that the lower centers be spaced midway between the upper centers and in this case it is achieved by positioning the spacer 140 on the left hand side of the lower roll assembly 20.

Referring to FIG. 11A, it will be noted that to achieve the maximum center distance roll setting, the upper centers A, D and G are utilized in cooperation with the lower centers A, C, F and H. In this case, the spacer 140 is positioned on the right side of the lower roll assembly 20 to position the same so that the lower and upper centers are spaced properly.

It will be noted that the center D for the upper rolls is at all times in horizontal alignment with its associated centers on either side thereof. It will thus be apparent that the center D in FIG. 11A has been raised from the position shown in FIG. 10A which has been raised above that shown in FIG. 9A.

The roll change position for the arrangement shown in FIG. 9A is illustrated in FIG. 9B and it will be noted that the various opposed cap members 55 and come into contact to support the upper roll assembly. In addition, additional cap members have been added at locations F and B on the upper roll assembly l8 and at a location midway between B and C and at location G on the lower roll assembly 20. The contact between these opposed cap members serves to support the upper roll assembly 18 on the lower roll assembly 20 without potentially damaging contact between the rolls.

FIGS. 10B and 11B illustrate the manner in which this is achieved with respect to the roll settings of FIGS. 10A and 11A, respectively. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 108, additional cap members 55 have been positioned between centers B and C and at centers D and F on the lower roll assembly 20. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 11A and 118, additional cap members 55 have been positioned at the locations of centers B, D, E and G.

It will be noted that in addition to increased center distances, for various settings, the setting of FIG. 10A employs larger rolls than the setting of FIG. 9A and the setting of FIG. 11A employs larger rolls than the setting of FIG. 10A. It is noted that the machine in accordance with the invention is particularly adapted to accommodate this change in roll size.

It will be apparent that the construction of the machine in accordance with the invention achieves the objective of being capable of handling beams of various sizes and yield strength. Moreover, the machine makes use of double bearings for the rolls which gives it added strength and minimizes the size of the bearings necessary. The minimizing of the bearing size permitting very close positioning of the centers of the rolls. Moreover, by reason of the mounting of the rolls releaseably within the machine in the manner described, it is possible to remove the rolls from the machine to achieve a quick roll change.

Furthermore, by reason of the stepped roll support for the upper rolls it is possible to achieve a vertical adjustment of the rolls by very simple means. Since the stepped construction minimizes the stroke that is necessary in order to achieve the vertical roll adjustment, it is possible to use a wedge type adjustment which is much simpler and less expensive than other adjusting means employed in the prior art. Moreover, it is noted that the construction in accordance with the invention will achieve a wide range of beam sizes that can be handled by the machine with a minimum of cost and simplicity of design.

Another advantage of the structure in accordance with the invention is that of longer bearing life and less costly maintenance. In the use of straighteners, some of the rolls (usually the front rolls) are more heavily loaded than others. On conventional straighteners, these loads are always taken by the same rolls and bearings and hence these are the first items to wear out. In the multiple center machine in accordance with the invention, however, since the roll arbors and bearings are changed with the rolls, these roll arbors and bearings can be rotated into and out of the heavily loaded positions. Accordingly, the bearing loads can be averaged which will significantly improve the life expectancy of the bearings. Moreover, this will allow for a smaller bearings since the bearings can be designed for an average load rather than a maximum load. In addition, since the bearings are removed with each roll change, the maintenance is much simpler.

In FIGS. 12 to 115 there is shown another embodiment of the invention. These figures illustrate diagrammatically another roll setting arrangement, which arrangement permits the possibility for setting up a pair of rolls perpendicular to one another so that these rolls may serve as entry pinch rolls. Pinch rolls are used to improve the feeding of the material and also to act as forming rolls in some cases. There is a trend toward using forming rolls when producing structural channels in order to save the roll life in the last stand of the struc tural mill, in which case the pinch rolls serve to bend the channel to its final shape on entry into the straightener.

In FIGS. l2 to the material is fed into the straightener in the direction of the arrows appearing in these figures.

There is provided an upper roll setting and supporting assembly 200 provided with individual block means 201i to 205 for supporting up to five upper rolls. There is also provided a lower roll setting and supporting assembly 2110 which is provided with lower roll supporting means 211 to 217 for supporting up to seven rolls as shown in the drawings. The details of construction of the upper assembly 200 and the lower assembly 210 may be similar to that described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. l to llll, the arrangement shown in FIGS. 12 to 14- being a diagrammatic representation.

The various possible roll centers into which the upper rolls may be positioned by the block means 201i to 205 have been designated A through E, inclusive. Also, the various possible roll centers into which the lower rolls may be positioned on the lower roll assembly 2M) have been designated A through G, respectively. The center distance or the spacing between adjacent centers of the rolls have been designated P in FIGS. 12 to 15. It will be apparent from these figures that the center locations A through E on the upper rolls and the center locations A through G on the lower assembly 2110 are spaced apart a distance P from an adjacent center.

The manner in which the above-discussed geometry of the center distance locations can be utilized to achieve different roll settings will now be described. Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown an arrangement whereby there is provided a minimum center distance setting of P. Thus, by setting upper rolls at locations B, C and D and lower rolls at locations C, D, E and F, there is provided seven straightening rolls providing a minimum center distance setting of P. In addition, by utilizing centers A and E on the upper assembly 204) and center B and G on the lower assembly 210 there may be provided lll straightening rolls. Of course, it is possible by various arrangements to achieve any number of straightening rolls from 7 to 11 by utilizing various of the roll setting locations. It will also be apparent that in accordance with conventional practice, the centers for the lower rolls are positioned exactly midway between the centers of the upper rolls.

In addition to providing a setting which permits the use of from 7 to ll straightening rolls, the arrangement shown in FIG. 12 permits the utilization of the first lower roll setting, at center position A, as a support for an entry pinch roll which cooperates with an upper pinch roll designated 220, which roll is suitably mounted on the frame of the machine at a location directly above the roll positioned at location A on the lower assembly 2110.

Referring now to FIG. 113, there is shown an arrangement for achieving a maximum center distance roll setting. It will be noted that the upper roll assembly 200 and the lower roll assembly 2110 are positioned in the same manner as in FIG. t2, the only difference being the locations at which the rolls are positioned. Thus, the centers A and D of the upper roll assembly 2MP are utilized in conjunction with the centers A, D

iii. and G of the lower roll assembly 210 to provide a center distance spacing of 3P. in addition, the setup of FIG. 13 utilizes the pinch roll 220 which cooperates with the roll positioned at center location A to provide a pair of entry pinch rolls.

Referring to FIG. M, there is shown an arrangement which provides an intermediate center distance of 21? between the roll centers. In this case the centers A, C and E of the upper roll assembly 2M) are utilized in conjunction with the centers A, C, E and G of the lower roll assembly which has been moved a P to the right from the positions shown in FIGS. 12 and H3 in order to maintain the proper spacing between the upper and lower assemblies.

In FIG. lib, wherein the upper and lower assemblies are in the same relative position as in FIG. Hi, there is shown another arrangement for achieving an intermediate center distance of 2? between the roll center. In this case the upper center A, C and E are utilized in conjunction with the lower centers C, E and G, these rolls serving as the straightening rolls. In addition, there is provided a roll at center location B which is directly beneath the center location A on the upper roll assembly 204). Accordingly, the rolls at location A for the upper roll assembly and at location B for the lower roll as sembly cooperate to serve as entry pinch rolls.

It will be understood that the above description is illustrative and that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim:

ii. In a machine for straightening beams or the like, a main frame structure, a plurality of upper beam straightening rolls, a plurality of lower beam straightening rolls, an upper roll setting and supporting assembly for mounting said lower rolls in a plurality of fixed roll settings, a lower roll setting and supporting assembly for mounting said lower rolls in a plurality of fixed roll settings, said upper roll assembly having means for setting said upper rolls at any of a plurality of preset fixed center positions, said lower roll assembly including means for setting said lower rolls at any of a plurality of preset fixed center positions, each of said roll setting means for said upper and lower rolls being constructed and arranged to provide fixed roll center setting locations which permit the setting of the rolls at a plurality of center distances, means for mounting said upper roll assembly on said main frame structure, and means for supporting said lower roll assembly beneath said upper roll assembly.

2. A machine according to claim ll wherein said roll center setting locations are spaced so that the rolls may be positioned at three settings including a minimum center distance setting, a maximum center distance setting and a center distance setting intermediate said minimum and maximum settings.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein said intermediate and maximum center distances are multiples of said minimum center distance.

4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein there are provided three upper rolls, said upper roll setting means being constructed and arranged to provide seven roll setting loca tions providing for three roll settings.

5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein said upper roll setting locations on each side of the centermost one thereof are stepped progressively upwardly.

d. A machine according to claim 5 wherein there are provided four lower rolls, said lower roll setting means being constructed and arranged to provide eight roll setting locations permitting three roll settings.

7. A machine according to claim 6 wherein the center distance between two adjacent lower roll setting locations is twice the minimum center distance, the spacing between all other adjacent center locations being; equal to the minimum center distance.

ti. A machine according to claim ll wherein said upper and lower roll assemblies each include bearing means for rotatably supporting said rolls at each end thereof in said roll settings.

9. A machine according to claim 5 including means for driving said three upper rolls, said means for driving the two outermost upper rolls being mounted on a movable support, and means for moving said movable supports for said drive means to positions aligning said drive means with said upwardly stepped center positions.

10. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said upper roll assembly on said main frame structure includes means for vertically adjusting said upper roll assembly.

11. A machine according to claim wherein said vertical adjusting means includes cooperating wedge means.

12. A machine according to claim 10 wherein said means for supporting said lower roll assembly includes means for raising and lowering said lower roll assembly.

13. A machine according to claim 12 wherein said raising I and lowering means includes wedge means.

14. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said upper roll assembly on said main frame structure is operable to release said upper roll assembly from said main frame to position the same on said lower roll assembly.

15. A machine according to claim 14 wherein said means for supporting said lower roll assembly includes a sled means that is adapted to be movable from a position beneath said lower roll assembly to a position clear of said machine to permit a roll changing operation.

16. A machine according to claim 15 including means for removing said sled means from said machine to a roll changing position including shiftable side car means.

17. A machine according to claim 14 wherein said upper and lower roll assemblies each include bearing means for rotatably supporting said roll at each end thereof in said roll settings, said means for supporting said lower roll assembly including means adapted to be moved from a position beneath said lower roll assembly to a position clear of said machine to permit a roll changing operation whereby said baring means are moved with said roll assemblies during a roll changing operation.

18. A machine according to claim 17 wherein said bearing means for each roll are constructed similarly and adapted to be positioned at a plurality of roll setting locations to permit the rotation of the rolls to various roll setting positions.

19. A machine according to claim 1 wherein there are provided a pair of entry pinch rolls, at least one of the pinch rolls being mounted on one of said roll setting and supporting assemblies.

20. A machine according to claim 3 wherein said upper roll supporting means is constructed and arranged to provide five roll setting locations spaced apart the minimum center distance, and said lower roll setting means is constructed and arranged to provide seven roll setting locations spaced apart the minimum center distance.

21. A machine according to claim 20 wherein there are provided at least two straightening rolls in said upper roll assembly and at least three straightening rolls in said lower roll assembly and a pair of entry pinch rolls at least one of which is mounted on one of said roll setting and supporting assemblies.

22. A machine according to claim 21 wherein said one pinch roll is mounted on said lower roll assembly.

23. A machine according to claim 22 wherein the other pinch roll is mounted on said upper roll assembly directly above said one pinch roll. 

1. In a machine for straightening beams or the like, a main frame structure, a plurality of upper beam straightening rolls, a plurality of lower beam straightening rolls, an upper roll setting and supporting assembly for mounting said lower rolls in a plurality of fixed roll settings, a lower roll setting and supporting assembly for mounting said lower rolls in a plurality of fixed roll settings, said upper roll assembly having means for setting said upper rolls at any of a plurality of preset fixed center positions, said lower roll assembly including means for setting said lower rolls at any of a plurality of preset fixed center positions, each of said roll setting means for said upper and lower rolls being constructed and arranged to provide fixed roll center setting locations which permit the setting of the rolls at a plurality of center distances, means for mounting said upper roll assembly on said main frame structure, and means for supporting said lower roll assembly beneath said upper roll assembly.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said roll center setting locations are spaced so that the rolls may be positioned at three settings including a minimum center distance setting, a maximum center distance setting and a center distance setting intermediate said minimum and maximum settings.
 3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein said intermediate and maximum center distances are multiples of said minimum center distance.
 4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein there are provided three upper rolls, said upper roll setting means being constructed and arranged to provide seven roll setting locations providing for three roll settings.
 5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein said upper roll setting locations on each side of the centermost one thereof are stepped progressively upwardly.
 6. A machine according to claim 5 wherein there are provided four lower rolls, said lower roll setting means being constructed and arranged to provide eight roll setting locations permitting three roll settings.
 7. A machine according to claim 6 wherein the center distance between two adjacent lower roll setting locations is twice the minimum center distance, the spacing between all other adjacent center locations being equal to the minimum center distance.
 8. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said upper and lower roll assemblies each include bearing means for rotatably supporting said rolls at each end thereof in said roll settings.
 9. A machine according to claim 5 including means for driving said three upper rolls, said means for driving the two outermost upper rolls being mounted on a movable support, and means for moving said movable supports for said drive means to positions aligning said drive means with said upwardly stepped center positions.
 10. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said upper roll assembly on said main frame structure includes means for vertically adjusting said upper roll assembly.
 11. A machine according to claim 10 wherein said vertical adjusting means includes cooperating wedge means.
 12. A machine according to claim 10 wherein said means for supporting said lower roll assembly includes means for raising and lowering said lower roll assembly.
 13. A machine according to claim 12 wherein said raising and lowering means includes wedge means.
 14. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said upper roll assembly on said main frame structure is operable to release said upper roll assembly from said main frame to position the same on said lower roll assembly.
 15. A machine according to claim 14 wherein said means for supporting said lower roll assembly includes a sled means that is adapted to be movable from a position beneath said lower roll assembly to a position clear of said machine to permit a roll changing operation.
 16. A machine according to claim 15 including means for removing said sled means from said machine to a roll changing position including shiftable side car means.
 17. A machine according to claim 14 wherein said upper and lower roll assemblies each include bearing means for rotatably supporting said roll at each end thereof in said roll settings, said means for supporting said lower roll assembly including means adapted to be moved from a position beneath said lower roll assembly to a position clear of said machine to permit a roll changing operation whereby said bearing means are moved with said roll assemblies during a roll changing operation.
 18. A machine according to claim 17 wherein said bearing means for each roll are constructed similarly and adapted to be positioned at a plurality of roll setting locations to permit the rotation of the rolls to various roll setting positions.
 19. A machine according to claim 1 wherein there are provided a pair of entry pinch rolls, at least one of the pinch rolls being mounted on one of said roll setting and supporting assemblies.
 20. A machine according to claim 3 wherein said upper roll supporting means is constructed and arranged to provide five roll setting locations spaced apart the minimum center distance, and said lower roll setting means is constructed and arranged to provide seven roll setting locations spaced apart the minimum center distance.
 21. A machine according to claim 20 wherein there are provided at least two straightening rolls in said upper roll assembly and at least three straightening rolls in said lower roll assembly and a pair of entry pinch rolls at least one of which is mounted on one of said roll setting and supporting assemblies.
 22. A machine according to claim 21 wherein said one pinch roll is mounted on said lower roll assembly.
 23. A machine according to claim 22 wherein the other pinch roll is mounted on said upper roll assembly directly above said one pinch roll. 